of them and lofty above their comprehension of them!
In the writings of the "Immaculate Ones" (Imams), the word "Suns" is frequently applied to those Abstracted Lights (Manifestations). One of these applications is found in the prayer "Nudba"[1]—"Where are the rising Suns? Where are the brilliant Moons? Where are the shining Stars?" Therefore it is shown that in the primary sense "sun," "moon" and "stars" signify the Prophets, the saints and their companions, through the light of whose knowledges the worlds of the visible and invisible are enlightened and illumined. In another sense, by "sun," "moon," and "star" is intended the divines of the former Dispensation at the time of the subsequent Manifestation and in whose hands are the reins of the religion of the people. If they are illumined by the light of the subsequent Sun in His Manifestation, they will be acceptable, radiant and shining; otherwise they will be declared as darkened, even though they are apparently guides. For all these states, including belief and unbelief, guidance and error, happiness and misery, light and darkness are dependent upon the approval of that Ideal Sun of Divinity. If in the Day of Judgment (Day of a new Manifestation), any one of these divines is declared faithful by the Source of Wisdom, he can truly be regarded as possessing knowledge, light and faith, and as having
- ↑ "Lamentation." Written by Ali.
